Editorial: Well done to leading lights of Kilkenny business

Well done to all the local companies and businesspeople who showed up in great numbers dressed in all their finery for the annual Kilkenny Chamber Business Awards on Saturday.

It was a very special evening in Lyrath Estate Hotel as business owners, staff and other community leaders gathered to celebrate and reflect on another year of success. It has not been easy and there have been challenges.

Many businesses have been under pressure over the past two years as a result of the pandemic, various restrictions, and adapting to new trends such as working from home. More recently, rising material costs, energy bills and inflation have added to the situation.

It is testament to their durability and innovation that so many have been able to keep their doors open, and in some cases, expand what they are doing.

When guest of honour, former Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody spoke, you could hear a pin drop in the sizeable conference centre. He talked eloquently on the importance of resilience and adaptability, and notably, about humility in leadership.

As well as the category winners, a note of congratulations also to Eamon Langton (President’s Award), Elizabeth Wall (Lifetime Achievement Award) and overall Business of the Year, HiTech Medicare. These pioneers of local business have set a standard for others to aspire to, and the awards are well deserved.

They are some of the leading lights of Kilkenny’s business community, providing not only an offering or service, but also employment for local people. These businesses are part and parcel of what makes Kilkenny such a vibrant, unique place. Well done to all winners and nominees.

Annual

The Kilkenny Annual, brought to you by the team behind the Kilkenny People, is in shops now — full of fascinating stories, features, puzzles and pictures of all things Kilkenny. After a busy year, it’s out just in time for Christmas, and it is well worth picking up a copy!